NHS industrial action: 17th December to 22nd December 2025

In response to planned industrial action by the British Medical Association (BMA), the NHS in Gloucestershire is making plans to minimise disruption as much as possible and to preserve patient care.

During these strikes, all other NHS staff (including consultants and other specialist doctors) will still be working, and the focus of the NHS will be on ensuring as many services as possible continue to operate.

You can find out more on the Gloucestershire Hospitals website.

• It is really important that you continue to come forward as normal for urgent medical care – especially in emergency and serious life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured.
• Patients who have a planned hospital operation, outpatient clinic or procedure between Wednesday 17th December and Monday 22th December should attend as usual unless they hear from us to advise otherwise.
• To enable available emergency care staff to come together at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and ensure patient safety during the strike, we are making some temporary changes, some temporary changes have been made to Cheltenham A&E.

Temporary changes to Cheltenham A&E

• From 8pm on Tuesday 16 December, the department will become a Minor Injuries and Illness Unit (MIIU).
• Daytime (8am–8pm): The department will operate as an MIIU from Wednesday 17 December to Sunday 21 December.
• Overnight (8pm–8am): The department will be closed overnight from Wednesday 17 December until 8am on Monday 22 December, when normal A&E services will resume.

Planned operations, outpatient clinics and procedures

• There is no expected disruption to patient visiting arrangements on these days.
• However, we are asking relatives and carers to do everything they can to work with their staff to get their loved ones home from hospital as quickly and as safely as possible, with additional support, if necessary, from local NHS community services or adult social care teams.
• If people have an urgent care need, but are not sure which service to use, they are asked to visit 111.nhs.uk in the first instance or call 111 for advice. The 111 phone service can book people into local NHS services if required, but is likely to see an increase in calls.

Community Minor Injury and Illness Units and GP practices across the county will continue to provide services. The public can get advice on their healthcare options at 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111.

There is a national Q&A for patients on the NHS England website.